Kate Souris

REACH FOR A LEECH! Ahem....anywho.... Obviously, we made it home mostly safe, and not so sound (of mind, of course!) . It was great hanging out and driving down with Mission, as he and Michael geeked out the entire way and left me to be nauseous in the backseat (thanks again for searching half of Virginia for dramamine, guys...I appreciated it once we found it!). Mission- I still have a blister on my toe... Lily- thanks for the hat! My cats promptly started to gnaw on it the second we got home till I put it out of reach... I might think of more later....hurm....

I would like to add... I took the photos and the dye on the leather is not botched or really that different....I just got antsy and took the photos while it was still wet before we lost the light outside.

I would be happy to volunteer the scroll....handmade paper and my fine calligraphy skills....

He does do brilliant work, doesn't he? Oh wait....I live with him....I get it first hand!

I cannot believe that Michael did not direct you to this website: http://www.periodfabric.com/ When we were doing Viking age stuff, this is where I got all my wool from and the prices were the best I had found (aside from ebay). I think most of these coat weight wools are $10/yard and I can attest that they are of very good quality. I think Michael got his fustian and his striped linen ticken from this site too, but I cannot be sure....

Michael and I went to see it in Cincy twice. Fantastic exhibit! Dissapointed that no photos were allowed, but of course in the tradition of making as much money as possible....they had a wonderful book full of color photos of the artifacts for sale in the convieniently placed gift shop at the end of the tour!

Mission! Is that ALL you think about? Cutting stuff off!??! Sheesh....

Michael indicated to me that he already told you, William, but I will be making period paper. Likely not in as huge of sheets that they did in the period, but more like normal sized for the purpose of being able to transport the equiptment (I am coming by plane, after all) and having the ability to manipulate the materials on my own. Period paper too....though I will likely bring the materials to make a simpler wood pulp based paper also because it just is simple to transport and not as costly to make. If I figure it out and get further into it....maybe a period ink also. :)

*Thud* Not to hijack....but I am an avid stamper. And when i say avid....I mean I have tons of stuff but am temporarily uninspired to stamp anything....figures. I also reccomend Fire Mountain Gems though. I have seen bone beads in some of their supplement catalogues. I will be honest, however, that I got my bone beads from some Viking re-enactors that I used to hang out with alot.

Like I said earlier, if you want t do historically correct outfits, check out www.reconstructinghistory.com for the pirate era patterns. Michael and I have most of them and they are by far his favorite patterns to use. He's our seamster in this house (there is a union for that apparently) and what he likes is what he gets! I can't say much for the stays, however. Mine (see above posted photos), Michael hand sewed and refused to let me help on. It was some sort of mission, I'm sure. But he worked on them tediously forever, but as a result I have some gaw-jus stays!

I highly reccomend checking out Kass' site http://www.reconstructinghistory.com/ and picking out a few patterns that you like. She's got some good stuff that is very accurate. I think that Michael and I might own every one of her pirate era patterns....and I want to get some of the Regency ones next! And also check out this thread...good luck! http://pyracy.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=11469

I did read somewhere that the Asians once used lichens to make a purple coloured dye. I also read that one could use mulberries and blackberries to make a deep purple dye, but those had to be used with a salt fixative to set the colour. Wouldn't want to be caught in the rain, then turn a lovely shade of purple because your fabric dye bled... Here, maybe this will help: http://www.geocities.com/anne_liese_w/Dyei.../dyehistory.htm Michael might be able to provide better insight than I can, but I have read into dying and fabric colors just a little so I could get a better understanding of what I could and could not use.

My 17th Century Death is: Stood a little too close to the fire with those long skirts. At least it wasn't childbirth. Michael....haven't I already almost done this once?

1.) Yes and no. My friend Kim and I covered hers in duct tape so that she could be the duct tape fairy for Halloween. The problem with the store bought bustiers is that most of them have plastic boning that just does not hold up. If you are going to do something like that, I would reccomend at least yanking out the plastic boning and replacing it with spring steel or reed. Honestly, Michael made a set of stays for our friend before he made mine, and it didn't take him more than a few hours on a sewing maching, so making them really isn't that bad. 2.) The EASIEST skirt pattern doesn't really require a pattern at all. It is simply two rectangles of fabric seamed together , knife pleated at the waist, a waistband added, then hooks and eyes to close up the sides. If you wanted more of a circle skirt, this is a good website with instructions http://www.shira.net/make-cskirt.htm . But it does take ten yards at least and you need a huge space to be able to lay it all out in to cut the pieces. I don't know if that helps or not. I hope so.

I'm ok with you taking the photos for reference if you want them. I think I might have a few more angles floating around here if you decide that you want those too, PM me. The fit of the stays under my arms is just about perfect. I'm pretty lanky though, so your lovely wife might need a bit of sizing going on when you make hers. Michael did make a neon pink set of stays for me out of posterboard so that we could make a good fitted pattern, so I highly reccomend that. That way you can see what pieces need to be trimmed down for her more vertically challenged frame.

http://www.hygra.com/writing.html#b1780 This is a really good website that I found regarding the travelling/ writing boxes. Hidden compartments, drawers and all.

Well being me....I forgot to take a photo of the plaque next to it, but Michael remembers it being in the late 1700's. According to some other websites that I have seen drawings of such kits on, they are very similar for a couple hundred years. That kit is kinda what I am looking to have Michael help me do in the not too distant future....so I have been doing a good deal of looking into them. :)

Travelling case- often used for holding personal dressing items (toiletries, etc) and writing items.

Another Etui set, though the photo didn't turn out as well. Top: Table clock, silver book cover. middle: pocket compass, watch, child's thimble case. Bottom: Mirror, scissors, case, ear cleaner/bodkin, Ivory writing tablet. The dates on the plaque were 1680-1700.

Another toilet/travelling service from the early 1700's. On the little back ledge part is a silver tray and writing set with a bell in the middle. From left to right: Hairbrush, wisk, scent bottle, eyebrush (in the little cup thing), and a funnel.

These are photos of a sterling silver toilet/travelling set from the early 1700's.

I have to apologize as well for the "knee jerk reaction" from my other half. Most of it was my paranoia, and I am ashamed to admit that I am a little gun shy (pardon the pun) when it comes to immersion because of being previously burned (and burned badly) doing something such as that. My style of re-enacting, I suppose, is more of a demonstration style. I am decidedly NOT good with accents and remembering that I am actually Kate, and not Jessica. There is where my problem lies. Funny thing is, when I worked at a ren faire for a good few years, I had no problem staying into character....then again, how hard is it to be the shopgirl? I do want to try at PiP though. I can't guarantee good results, and I definately can't guarantee that I will be up for putting on the airs every day, but I think that I have written Michael and I up a decent (and very flexible) history that can be worked into the whole deal. Wow...my train really de-railed with that....didn't it?

Items of affection? I am just curious as to what this is? Like the portrait miniatures and such? I did get some shots of rings from the period too. Like I said, I have to edit the photos because my camera takes ENORMOUS photos so I have to shrink them down for posting on the board, but I will try and get some up later on today when I get home. Gotta drive to Ohio from Canada today, ya know.

This particular set was dated 1750's, but there was a second set (in which the photo did not turn out very well), dated 1690's. They were nearly identical, very similar in style and design. The second set, however, did not include the folding ruler. It is incredibly hard to get a good photo through glass with mobs of people around. I still have to edit the rest of the photos, but I will try and post them up today or tommorrow. :)

Went to the Royal Ontario Museum today...great section with lots of goodies from the period... 1.) Tea caddy with paper quill work 2.) Toothpick box with combined toothpick/ear cleaner 3.) Portait Miniature-enamel painted on copper. 4.) Etui- Container of tools for needlework and personal needs. Tweezers, scissors, folding ruler, knife, and ivory writing tablet (for use with a pencil and it wipes off) All of these were dated 1700's. :)